Jones Enters Cooperstown

Atlanta Braves legend Andruw Jones was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, on Sunday, offering a special note of appreciation to the late Bobby Cox.

“He put a 19-year-old in the World Series lineup and believed in me,” Jones said of his longtime manager. “Bobby had confidence in me and helped me become the best player I could be. He commanded respect, created a winning culture. … He was like a second father to me. I know he’s looking down, laughing and (would be) so happy for me and my family. Thank you, Bobby.”

Jones’ former Braves teammates, including Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Fred McGriff, made the trip to Cooperstown and rode in Saturday’s Parade of Legends.

Jones, who won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves in center field and hit 434 career home runs, earned election with 78.4% of the vote in his ninth year on the ballot. He is the first Curaçao-born player enshrined. Joining him in the Class of 2026 are Carlos Beltrán and Jeff Kent.

  Okefenokee Earns World Heritage Status

The Okefenokee Swamp became Georgia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the World Heritage Committee approving the designation at its 48th session in Busan, South Korea.

The roughly 407,000-acre Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is the first U.S. natural site added to the list in more than three decades. It is the country’s 27th World Heritage Site.

A 2024 Conservation Fund report estimated the designation could double annual visitation to 1.6 million by 2035, a boost for surrounding rural communities.

The swamp is regarded as one of the world’s largest freshwater ecosystems, with largely undisturbed peat beds that preserve a 5,000-year record of environmental change.

Law Changes School Zone Cameras

Georgia cities are adjusting to a new state law on school zone speed cameras as students head back to class, including new limits on where cities can place them.

House Bill 651 took effect July 1, requiring cities and counties to also report camera revenue and camera locations annually to the state Department of Public Safety. The law only allows citations for going more than 10 mph over the limit, restricts enforcement to one-hour windows around arrival and dismissal, and directs camera revenue to schools.

Beginning next July 1, jurisdictions must post warning signs at least 500 feet ahead of the school zone—with lights that flash when cameras are issuing citations—and win voter approval in local referendums every six years to keep camera programs.

Lawmakers passed the measure after years of driver complaints over citations and poor signage. Supporters call the cameras effective, citing a school where tickets went from 90 in 2022 to 0 last year.

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➤ Statewide: U.S. Rep. Mike Collins leads the Georgia U.S. Senate race among older and more motivated voters, while incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff leads overall based on a wide lead among younger voters, according to an AARP poll. (More)

➤ Macon: Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia suspended operations at all club sites for at least 90 days, citing “severe operational and financial challenges.” (More)

➤ Bulloch County: Crews reported 75% containment of a 389-acre wildfire that threatened homes in the area. (More)

➤ Summerville: Chattooga County Schools’ four-day week is drawing renewed statewide attention after district leaders reported improved morale and academic performance and fewer discipline issues. (More)

➤ Effingham County: A boil water advisory will continue until Tuesday for several subdivisions due to construction-related low water pressure. (More)

➤ Camilla: Residents packed the De Soto Trail Regional Library on Saturday to press U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop and state lawmakers on affordability, with some saying they are struggling to keep up with everyday expenses. (More)

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➤ SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic picked Georgia to win the 2026 SEC championship, citing the Bulldogs’ veteran quarterback, offensive line, and defense. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons placed rookie defensive tackle Anterio Thompson on the non-football injury list Saturday. (More)

➤ More than three years after launching the effort, former minor league player Perry Dunn Jr. reached another milestone in bringing city league baseball back to Augusta’s youth. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NASCAR | F1 | Golf | Soccer

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➤ Google will be the sole end user and operator of a planned data center in Columbia County, a project officials say will grow the tax base and create jobs. The county has zoned two sites for data centers and has not said which one Google will develop. (More)

➤ A state law that took effect July 1 bars unlicensed businesses from advertising HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or utility contracting services, with violations subject to fines and criminal penalties. (More)

➤ Paramount agreed to delay its $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery—parent of Atlanta-founded CNN—until after an antitrust trial or June 1, whichever comes first. (More)

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➤ Bragg Jam’s annual concert crawl returned to downtown Macon Saturday, bringing more than 25 acts across multiple venues. (More)

➤ Former Chicago Cubs star Kerry Wood unveiled a trick pitch during a Savannah Bananas outing at Wrigley Field on Saturday, showing fans he still has surprises left. (More)

➤ Social media influencer Gabe Lincoln gave away more than 200 book bags at his fourth annual back-to-school drive in Albany, partnering with Northside Tax Services. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Here are three overlooked flaws in a decades-old retirement formula that could quietly drain financial flexibility. (Hear Details)

➤ Should you be polite to ChatGPT? Researchers finally have an answer. (Listen Now)

➤ A five-minute daily habit can sharpen focus, may lower dementia risk, and is fun. (Hear What)

How is your garden doing this summer?

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